Unfortunately, little can be done to avoid catching colds. It is possible to try to avoid colds by staying away from all public places, such as shopping malls, church, or synagogues, and school. However, even this will not be effective in avoiding all contact with the cold viruses. While it is probably sensible to avoid snuggling with someone who has a terrible cold, this also won't do the trick completely, since people can have the cold viruses--and pass them on--before they feel sick with a cold themselves.
Read More »
Colds are caused by viruses. The main source of cold viruses is other people. People catch colds from other people who have the cold viruses in their nose and throats. The closer the contact with the infected secretions, the easier it is to catch cold. Sneezing on someone is probably one way to give that person your cold, but the most common way the cold viruses is passed around is from one person’s respiratory secretions to his or her hand, to the next person’s hand, and to that person’s mucous membranes in the nose or eyes. Despite what everyone’s grandmother has said, you do not get colds from playing in the snow, or from being outside in cold weather. Read More »
From the Honest Human blog
Organic Consumers Association newsletter:
Last week, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act were released that show the U.S. government’s Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) concealed evidence indicating dangerously high levels of lead in children’s plastic lunchboxes.
Back in 2005, the nonprofit Center for Environmental Health made national news when their investigations found high levels of lead in children’s vinyl lunchboxes. The CPSC immediately countered that report by saying its own studies revealed no problems. On the contrary, documents released last week show the agency’s own tests actually found lead contamination up to 16 times higher than what is allowed in lead paint. The government’s motivation for a cover-up that threatens the health of the nation’s children is unclear, but an allied group of state Attorney Generals is being organized to ultimately remove these lunchboxes from the marketplace.
Tip: The lunchboxes to avoid are made of PVC. These are typically the squishy plastic type of lunch boxes. You can also order a lead lunchbox testing kit from the Center for Environmental Health.
